Photo Credit: Christian Headlines
Original article published in The Higher Learning on 08/16/2014
The protection of Christians in the Muslim world was a subject of vital importance to Prophet Muhammed. The Prophet, who had good relationship with Christian Monks, signed a covenant guaranteeing the protection of Christian populations in the Muslim-controlled regions. The covenant, signed in 626, addresses the Monks of St. Catherine’s Monastery in Mt. Sinai, and guarantees the freedom for Christians to practice their faith freely. In the charter the Prophet orders that Christians must not be harmed. Additionally, they are not obligated to pay taxes:
“They [Christians] must not give anything of their income but that which pleases them—they must not be offended, or disturbed, or coerced or compelled. Their judges should not be changed or prevented from accomplishing their offices, nor the monks disturbed in exercising their religious order…No taxes or tithes should be received from those who devote themselves to the worship of God in the mountains, or from those who cultivate the Holy Lands.” The covenant also extends to protect Christian places of worship:
“No one is allowed to plunder the pilgrims, or destroy or spoil any of their churches, or houses of worship, or take any of the things contained within these houses and bring it to the houses of Islam. And he who takes away anything therefrom, will be one who has corrupted the oath of God, and, in truth, disobeyed His Messenger.”
